FBI Interested in Large Prepaid Cell Phone Purchases

WTRF-TV ^ | 8/3/2006 | Sarah Kapis

[Ready2go]

FBI Interested in Large Prepaid Cell Phone Purchases Posted 8/3/2006 06:06 PM

Store clerks in Grafton say people have been coming into their stores and buying several phones at a time. Story by Sarah Kapis Email | Bio

Folks at the Dollar General in Grafton say in the past few days, several men have come into the store attempting to buy large numbers of prepaid phones. However, store policy only allows a customer to buy two phones at a time, in fact, they are locked away from the general public.

The clerks say after they were in the Dollar General, the men went to the Grafton Walmart to try to purchase more of the phones.

Grafton police found one man during a traffic stop. They say he had hundreds of prepaid phones in his car.

There is no word on what the men planned to do with the phones or why they bought so many, but the incident was later turned over to the FBI for an investigation.

The owner of Country Roads Communications says the allure of the prepaid phones is the freedom that come with them. However, the FBI is not ready to say that the phones are being used for illegal or criminal purposes.

"Prepaids are hard to track, so they're used alot for illegal operations," said Vince Cafazza.

"We are aware that there are a number of purchases throughout the state. Large purchases of trac phones. We are interested in the purchases because they are unusual," said Dan Caldwell, FBI special agent. "We also understand that a number of the larger stores in the area are aware of the purchases. We are not aware of any criminal activity associated with the purchases at this point."

Caldwell says if you notice someone trying to buy large quantities of these type of phones, you can contact your local police or the FBI.

[RFC_Gal]

Why aren't people more worried about pager?

The radio freqs that pagers use make them a better remote activation device than cheap cell phones.

[sandbar]

>>>Store clerks in Grafton say people have been coming into their stores and buying several phones at a time. >>>

I wonder what nationality these 'people' are.

I really feel there is something big in the works and I have an uneasy feeling. I keep telling myself I'm just being paranoid, but...

I am going to today, for the soon increasing beyond belief gas prices, to load up on can goods.

[MineralMan]

"Why aren't people more worried about pager?

The radio freqs that pagers use make them a better remote activation device than cheap cell phones.

"

Pagers aren't cheap like the prepaid cell phones, nor are they as easily available.

[UCANSEE2]

" I want the damn government to leave me the hell alone."

If you buy 50 hamhocks, the government will definitely leave you alone.

Your remarks also prompt one to ask, just what has the government been bothering you about lately?

If you really want absolutely no interference from law enforcement, maybe you should move somewhere they have no laws.

[Toby06]

Sure it's your right to report it, and it's my right to buy as many as I want, and do wjhatever the hell I want with them.

My 13 yo daughter has one. She is in a travelling camp and is sometimes riding her bike around town. iw ant to keep tabs on her, and control costs at the same time. Prepaids do this well.

What if i was having a big party and wanted to give them away so we could all stay in contact. Am I a friggin terrorist? Why is it any business of Gov't how I didtribute stuff i legally obtained?

If there were some other connection, like illegals, etc, maybe an investigation could be warranted, but simply because someone bought 100 prepaid phones doesn't warrant suspicion in my eyes.

[UCANSEE2]

"reselling it in some other for a higher price."

Since cell phones are cheap and readily available all across the country, just where would these people be going to find some suckers to buy the cell phones at, say, twice the normal price??????

Your argument is illogical.

[Toby06]

snort! lol!

[LikeLight]

Chechens? Or just Russian mafia types? Anyone know if those are typical Muslim names?

[UCANSEE2]

"This is America. Life, liberty and the pursuit of whatever the heck you want without government interference. "

I regret to inform you that the above statement of yours is absolutely untrue.

Apparently you know nothing about the constitution, bill or rights, or federal,state, and local laws.

[MineralMan]

"Sure it's your right to report it,"

Gosh, thanks, but I knew that already. If you buy 100 prepaid cell phones, and I report it, you can expect a visit from a law enforcement person, who will ask you, politely, the reason for your unusual purchase.

Give them your reason, and they'll go away.

If your name is Muhammed, however, they may want to investigate further. If you have a criminal record, they will certainly invesigate further.

Yes, I know it's my right to report suspicious activity. I have done so many times.

[Toby06]

So calling you a nanny-stater wouldn't be out of line, huh?

The government bugs us all about a lot of stuff. I used to live in Massachusetts. Twice, by referendum, the voters said NO to seatbelt laws, but there is a seat belt law. That's government interference.

[pageonetoo]

Have you been to Grafton? What is a dog-bottom? Where is nowhere? You sure lump a lot of pejoratives into a single post.

You imply that since Grafton isn't in your neighborhood, it is nowhere. I would imagine that the fine folks that call it home there may disagree. Big cities don't all have sky scrapers. I live in Martinsburg, WV most of the year. It qualifies as "big" to most of the folk from Grafton.

I used to live in a small NC town. I always heard the Burgaw (NC) was an Indian word meaning "mud hole". It was a standing joke among locals. But, don't let a stranger say anything about it.

It's sort of like racial name-calling and epithets. It's always easy to call a kettle black! But, glass bowls reveal what's inside, like glass houses. Most of us would rather soot things up.

I am not as much of a conspiracy theorist. If I was, I would speculate that the President of the United States was in cahoots with the interests of another country!

[divine_moment_of_facts]

"Geez, keep on eroding civil liberties. You people sicken me. It's a friggin cell phone! There are BILLIONS of them in the world!
I can't believe you stalinist freaks consider yourselves conservative enough to be freepers!"

Toby dear....Again. It's not ONE cell phone, honey.. It's a 100 cell phones purchased by One person. And, There were Many purchases like that all over the State, sweetheart. No one's civil rights are being violated here, darling. No one has been arrested for buying 100's of cell phones to sell on Ebay, sweety pie. Have a nice day!

[r9etb]

Or just Russian mafia types? Anyone know if those are typical Muslim names?

Republic of Georgia. Russian Mafia, perhaps....

[Tokra]

I can't believe you stalinist freaks consider yourselves conservative enough to be freepers!

Sir, you are speaking like a moron. No - I don't own a cell phone.

You seem to forget that we are at war. Things are different in war time.

If this were 1943 and a young male with a strong German accent went into the local hardware store and tried to buy a hundred sticks of dynamite (which certainly could be used for an innocent reason) - would you feel the same way? (Probably)

There is absolutely nothing wrong with someone purchasing 100 cell phones. However since the NYSlimes has let the terrorists know that their cell phones are being monitered, their logical move is to purchase prepaid phones. If a store owner were approached by a young middle eastern male wanting to purchase a huge number of prepaid cell phones then yes, I would hope that someone checks it out.

If he is buying them for resale or any other legitimate use -then fine. No harm done. But what if he isn't?

How on earth you get off calling me a "stalinist freak" for using common sense is beyond me.

You better take your meds and calm down.

[Toby06]

you can expect a visit from a law enforcement person, who will ask you, politely, the reason for your unusual purchase.

I would tell them to mind their own business. I've done nothing wrong. What can they do? It's a friggin cell phone. There is nothing illegal about it.

BTW, I am more of a John Baker (from CHiPs) type than a Muhammed type.

Erosion of freedoms in the USA sickens me. I am surprised to see you, one of the most lucid posters on FR, as a supporter.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

For what it is worth...if these men were on their way to Philly (heading east across PA) they were not taking the PA Turnpike (I-76)...they were instead travelling on Rte. 22...alot of small towns, strip shopping malls, etc. along the way. Nothing unusual...just not the most direct or quickest route.

[Tokra]

Why aren't people more worried about pager?

If a young Middle Eastern male tried to buy a hundred pagers - then yes, there might be a reason for worry.

[pageonetoo]

You may stop a friend of mine most days, and he could have as many as a thousand or more knives and other blades. He sets up in flea markets to sell them. Should we monitor his sales? Should we put a tracking device in his car? Should you keep your nose out of other peoples business. Why is this news?

If their was anything going on, I doubt the Feds would promote the information!

[Toby06]

Bless your heart...